Project Name: Whidbey Uparati House

Location: Whidbey Island, United States

Design Team: Wittman Estes

Total Floor Area: 1,880 sq ft

Completion: 2024

Photography: Andrew Pogue

Feature:

Project - Nestled on the rolling landscape of Whidbey Island, the Uparati House by Wittman Estes emerges as a masterful exercise in architectural restraint and ecological sensitivity. Spanning 1,880 square feet, this contemporary retreat challenges traditional notions of residential design by prioritizing a profound connection with its natural surroundings.

The project's core philosophy revolves around the Sanskrit concept of "uparati" – meaning stillness – which is eloquently translated into architectural language. Architects Matt Wittman and Jody Estes have crafted a dwelling that doesn't merely occupy the landscape but becomes an integral part of it. The house appears to float above a meadow, its cedar-clad exterior blending seamlessly with the native Blue Oat Grasses and Mexican Feather Grasses that surround it.

Innovative sustainability is at the heart of the design. By employing a Ground Frame foundation system, the architects dramatically reduced the carbon footprint by 77% compared to traditional concrete foundations. The structure follows a precise 4-foot grid, utilizing off-the-shelf TJIs and creating a rational, cost-effective construction method that doesn't compromise on aesthetic elegance.

The interior is a testament to minimalist design, with plywood walls, cedar tongue and groove ceilings, and white oak floors creating a neutral canvas that allows the dramatic landscape to become the primary visual narrative. Floor-to-ceiling windows transform the boundaries between interior and exterior, offering panoramic views of Useless Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

More than just a house, the Uparati House is a meditative sanctuary – a contemporary retreat that invites its inhabitants to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world.

Design Team - Founded in 2012 by Matt Wittman and Jody Estes, Wittman Estes has emerged as a vanguard architectural practice committed to reimagining the relationship between built environments and natural landscapes. Situated in the historic Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, the firm has distinguished itself through a holistic design approach that transcends traditional architectural boundaries.

Recognized for their innovative housing solutions and landscape integration, Wittman Estes has garnered significant industry acclaim, including the AIA National Housing Award and multiple publications in prestigious architectural platforms like Dezeen, ArchDaily, and Dwell. The firm's design philosophy centers on creating interconnected spaces that blur the lines between interior and exterior, responding critically to urban densification and climate challenges.

Led by founding principals Matt Wittman and Jody Estes, alongside principal Ashton Wesely, the practice has developed a robust portfolio of residential and multi-family projects spanning the Pacific Northwest, California, and New York. Their work is characterized by a rigorous commitment to sustainability, material innovation, and experiential design that prioritizes human connection to natural environments.

With a multidisciplinary team of architects and designers, Wittman Estes continues to push the boundaries of contemporary architectural practice, offering integrated design solutions that are both environmentally responsive and deeply attuned to human experience.